Device, system, method and computer readable medium for pairing of devices in a short distance wireless network

ABSTRACT

A device, a system, a method and a computer readable medium allowing a user to efficiently and easily add/remove or pair a processing device to a short distance wireless network is provided according to embodiments of the present invention. A user enters a PIN into a device. The device is then automatically paired to another device without any further user intervention to form a short distance wireless network in an embodiment of the present invention. A third party such as a manufacturer, reseller or telecommunication provider enables a processing device to be added to the short distance wireless network by generating a pairing message over the Internet or a SMS in an embodiment of the present invention. A user is able to know when a PIN code is invalid by a device performing error detection in another embodiment of the present invention. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the device also stores an error correction software component for correcting an erroneously inputted PIN.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/990,424 filed on Nov. 21, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,845,097.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Processing devices are often added to a network, such as a wide areanetwork (“WAN”), local area network (“LAN”) or a short distance wirelessnetwork.

A wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone, istypically a node of a WAN or communication network. The cellulartelephone may also be a part of a LAN or a short distance wirelessnetwork for communicating with other user devices, such as a laptop,printer, Personal Digital Assistant (“PDA”) and/or headset. For example,Bluetooth™ technology (www.Bluetooth.com) provides wirelesscommunications between devices.

Typically, a user manually adds or pairs a processing device to aBluetooth™ short distance wireless network. There are several ways toadd a processing device to a Bluetooth™ short distance wireless network.A user may select a “discover” mode, in for example a cellular telephonehaving Bluetooth™ capability, for finding other nearby Bluetooth™devices. The cellular telephone then proceeds to find other possibleBluetooth™ device to be paired with the cellular telephone. Often, thediscovered devices are then provided in the form of a list to the userwho may then select the desired device, such as a laptop computer, to bepaired with the cellular telephone. The user then may be prompted for asecurity code or Personal Identification Code (“PIN”) or passkey on thecellular telephone display. A user then may enter the appropriate PIN.Likewise, the discovered device prompts the user for a PIN that may beentered. Bluetooth™ technology then establishes a communication channelbetween the processing devices.

Pairing or adding a processing device to a short distance wirelessnetwork, and in particular a Bluetooth™ short distance wireless network,has many disadvantages.

First, significant amount of user intervention and attention isrequired. A user has to “discover” and select which devices to be pairedin the short distance wireless network. A user has to obtain and enter aPIN code at possibly two different devices.

Second, a third party such as a manufacturer, a reseller or atelecommunication provider does not typically control or enable thepairing. For example, a telecommunication provider may want to approveor authorize any proposed paring in a short distance wireless network.Likewise, a telecommunication provider may want to remove a paireddevice from the short distance wireless network.

Third, often a user does not know whether they entered an incorrect PINcode or if there is an error in a Bluetooth™ communication channel. Auser may waste time trying to obtain a Bluetooth™ connection rather thanreentering a correct PIN.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a device, a system, a computerreadable medium and a method that allow a user to efficiently and easilyadd a processing device to a short distance wireless network. It isfurther desirable 1) for a third party, such as a manufacturer, reselleror telecommunication provider to add/remove or authorize the adding ofthe processing device to the short distance wireless network and 2) fora user to know whether a PIN code has been entered properly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device, a system, a computer readable medium and a method allowing auser to efficiently and easily add/remove or pair a processing device toa short distance wireless network is provided according to embodimentsof the present invention. A user enters a PIN into a device. The deviceis then automatically paired to another device without any further userintervention to form a short distance wireless network in an embodimentof the present invention. A third party such as a manufacturer, areseller or a telecommunication provider adds a processing device to theshort distance wireless network by providing a pairing message over theInternet, Wide Area Network or a Short Message Service (“SMS”) in analternate embodiment of the present invention. A user is able to knowwhen a PIN code has been entered improperly by a device detecting anerror in the PIN code and displaying a warning if the PIN code isinvalid in another embodiment of the present invention. In still afurther embodiment of the present invention, the device corrects anerroneously entered PIN.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system forforming a short distance wireless network is provided. The first devicegenerates the short-range radio signal responsive to receiving a pairingmessage and an identification symbol. The second device generates ashort-range radio signal containing the identification symbol andcommunicates with the first device responsive to the short-range radiosignal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pairing messageis received from the Internet.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pairing messageis received from an IP network.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pairing messageis received from a short message service (“SMS”).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pairing messageincludes an identification symbol, such as a Personal IdentificationNumber (“PIN”), a device name, a device identification symbol, such as aMedia Access Control (“MAC”) address, a device manufacturer and a devicemodel. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the paringmessage includes a pairing identification symbol and the first devicecompares the paring identification symbol to the identification symbolfrom the second device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first devicereceives a remove or a confirm message for preventing or allowingcommunication between the first device and the second device.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, thesystem further comprises a processing device in a wide area network forgenerating the pairing message responsive to a user input.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processingdevice is a telecommunication provider processing device, a sellerprocessing device or a manufacturer processing device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, user input isselected from a group consisting of a user identification symbol, adevice name, a device manufacturer and a device model.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processingdevice is a computer and the user inputs an identification symbol into aweb page in the wide area network.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processingdevice is a computer having an interactive voice recognition (“IVR”)software component and the user utters an identification symbol into atelephone coupled to the computer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the processingdevice is a computer and the user enters an identification symbol into atelephone using Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signals via the publictelephone network coupled to the computer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second deviceis selected from the group consisting of a desktop computer, a laptopcomputer, a personal digital assistant, a headset, a pager, a printer, awatch, a digital camera and an equivalent.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first deviceincludes a short-range radio processor and a 2.4 GHZ transceiver.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first deviceincludes a short-range radio processor and a 5.7 GHZ transceiver.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pairing messageis encrypted.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the paring messageincludes a digital signature for authentication.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first deviceverifies the identification symbol.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system forforming a short distance wireless network is provided. The systemcomprises a first device, having a display, which generates ashort-range radio signal responsive to a user inputting anidentification symbol. A user is notified of an invalid identificationsymbol responsive to detecting an error in the identification symbol. Asecond device communicates with the first device responsive to theshort-range radio signal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pairing messageis generated in response to a user input at a telephone or a web site.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pairing messageincludes a personal identification symbol and the method furthercomprises the steps of verifying the personal identification symbol andnotifying a user of the validity of the personal identification symbol.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for addinga first device to a short distance wireless network having a seconddevice is provided. A paring message is provided to the second device.An identification symbol is provided to the first device and ashort-range radio signal is generated containing the identificationsymbol to the second device from the first device. A communicationchannel between the first device and the second device is formedresponsive to the paring message and the identification symbol.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an articlemanufacture, including a computer readable medium is provided. Ashort-range radio software component generates a short-range radiosignal in a short distance wireless network. A pairing softwarecomponent adds a device to the short distance wireless network inresponse to the pairing message.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention can be seen uponreview of the figures, the detailed description, and the claims thatfollow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates thin terminals and a wireless device according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3 a-b are hardware block diagrams of devices according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a software block diagram architecture for pairing a device ina short distance wireless network according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 5 a-c illustrate user input/output in pairing devices in a shortdistance wireless network according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 6 a-b are flowcharts illustrating pairing devices in a shortdistance wireless network according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a web site, and in particular a web page, for a userinputting pairing information according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a software block diagram architecture of server 101according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

I. System Overview

The following description and claims relate to a device, a system, amethod and a computer readable medium for pairing or adding a device toa short distance wireless network according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. Pairing refers to allowing a device to communicatewith another device in a short distance wireless network.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a short distance wirelessnetwork is a network of processing devices, such as a personal computeror headset, that span a relatively small physical area, wherein at leastone device generates and receives a short-range radio signal forcommunicating with another device in the network. In an embodiment ofthe present invention, a short-range radio signal can travel betweenapproximately 0 and approximately 1000 feet. An example of a shortdistance wireless network includes a network of devices formed byBluetooth™, HomeRF, 802.11 technologies, singly or in combination, or anequivalent. In an embodiment of the present invention, each processingdevice in a short distance wireless network has its own processing unitthat executes a software component stored on the processing devicememory, but also may access data and devices on the short distancewireless network. In an embodiment of the present invention, a wire, andin particular an Ethernet, provides communication between two or moreprocessing devices in a short distance wireless network. In an alternateembodiment, electromagnetic signals provide wireless communicationbetween one or more processing devices in a short distance wirelessnetwork. In still another embodiment, both wires and electromagneticsignals provide communication between processing devices in a shortdistance wireless network.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a WAN includes multiple LANsand/or short distance wireless networks connected over a relativelylarge distance. Telephone lines and electromagnetic signals, singly orin combination, couple the LANs and/or short distance wireless networksinto a WAN. In an embodiment of the present invention, WAN 105 includesa cellular network generating and receiving cellular signals 111. In anembodiment of the present invention, a cellular network is defined as acommunications system dividing a geographic region into sections, calledcells. In an analog embodiment of the present invention, the purpose ofthis division is to make the most use out of a limited number oftransmission frequencies. In an analog embodiment of the presentinvention, each connection, or for example conversation, requires itsown dedicated frequency, and the total number of available frequenciesis about 1,000. To support more than 1,000 simultaneous conversations,cellular systems allocate a set number of frequencies for each cell. Twocells can use the same frequency for different conversations so long asthe cells are not adjacent to each other.

FIG. 1 illustrates system 100 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. System 100 includes terminals 107 coupled to wireless device106. In an embodiment of the present invention, device 106 and one ormore terminals 107 communicate to form a short distance wireless network116. In an embodiment of the present invention, terminals 107 arecoupled to device 106 by short-range radio signals 110 to form shortdistance wireless network 116. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, some or all of terminals 107 may have wired connections. Inan embodiment of the present invention, terminals 107 include watch 107a, PDA 107 b, headset 107 c and laptop computer 107 d. In an alternateembodiment, fewer or more terminals are used in short distance wirelessnetwork 116. In an alternate embodiment, terminals 107 include a desktopcomputer, a pager, a printer, a thin terminal, messaging terminal, adigital camera or an equivalent. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, terminals 107 include a Bluetooth™ 2.4 GHz transceiver.Likewise, device 106 includes a Bluetooth™ 2.4 GHZ transceiver. In analternate embodiment of the present invention, a Bluetooth™5.7 GHZtransceiver is used. Hardware for device 106 and terminals 107 isillustrated in FIGS. 3 a-b in an embodiment of the present invention.

In alternate embodiments of the present invention, other local wirelesstechnologies, such as 802.11 or HomeRF signals, are used to communicatebetween device 106 and terminals 107.

In an embodiment of the present invention, WAN 105 is coupled to device106. In an embodiment of the present invention, WAN 105 includes acellular network transmitting and receiving cellular signals 111. In anembodiment of the present invention, cellular signals 111 aretransmitted using a protocol, such as a Global System for Mobilecommunications (“GSM”) protocol. In alternate embodiments, a CodeDivision Multiple Access (“CDMA”), CDMA 2000, Universal MobileTelecommunications System (“UMTS”), Time Division Multiple Access(“TDMA”), or General Packet Radio Service (“GPRS”) protocol or anequivalent is used.

In an embodiment of the present invention, WAN 105 includes carrierbackbone 104, server 101-102 and Internet 103. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, IP packets are transferred between the componentsillustrated in FIG. 1. In alternate embodiments of the presentinvention, other packet types are transferred between the componentsillustrated in FIG. 1.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a WAN 105 includes an IPpublic or private network, such as a corporate secured network using aVirtual Private Network (“VPN”).

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, device 106 iscoupled to a WAN 105 by an Ethernet, Digital Subscriber Line (“DSL”), orcable modem connection, singly or in combination.

In an embodiment of the present invention, device 106 is a cellularhandset or telephone. In an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention, device 106 is a cellular enabled PDA, wireless modem and/orwireless laptop computer.

In an embodiment of the present invention, WAN 105 is coupled to awireless carrier internal network or carrier backbone 104. In anembodiment of the present invention, server 102 is coupled to carrierbackbone 104. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention,carrier backbone 104 is coupled to Internet 103. Server 101 is coupledto Internet 103. In an embodiment of the present invention, servers 101and 102 provide information, such as a web site having web pages orapplication software components, to terminals 107 by way of device 106.In an embodiment of the present invention, terminals 107 share servicesand communicate by way of device 106.

In an embodiment of the present invention, server 101 includes pairingmessage generation software component 101 a, PIN database 101 b andinteractive voice recognition (“IVR”) software component 101 c asillustrated by FIG. 8. Message generation software component 101 agenerates a pairing and/or remove pairing message to device 106 asdescribed below in an embodiment of the present invention. IVR 101 c isused to translate human utterances into computer readable informationfor message generation software component 101 a. For example, a user mayaccess server 101 by telephone in order to provide a PIN by voice or viaDTMF. IVR 101 c would then translate the PIN utterance or DTMF tones toa computer readable format for generating a pairing message. In anembodiment of the present invention, PIN database 101 b is used toconfirm or authorize a paring as described below.

Likewise, Server 102, coupled to carrier backbone 104, has similarsoftware components and bypasses Internet 103 in an alternate embodimentof the present invention.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a web page 700, asillustrated by FIG. 7, is located at server 101 for entering personalidentification numbers (“PINs”) associated with recently obtainedterminals 107. A user of a terminal in short distance wireless network116, a manufacturer, a reseller or a telecommunication provider mayenter a PIN number associated with a terminal in order to add theterminal to short distance wireless network 116. After a PIN andpotentially other identification information, such as a deviceidentification number, are entered at web page 700, server 101 generatesa pairing message transferred over WAN 105 to device 106. In anembodiment of the present invention, the pairing message is anInternet/Protocol (“IP”) message. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the pairing message is a SMS message. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, the pairing message is a message sent via the WAN,such as the control channel of the wireless network. In an alternateembodiment of the present invention, the pairing message is encrypted toprevent fraud or illegal pairing. Decryption software component 405 thendecrypts the pairing message, as illustrated in FIG. 4. In an alternateembodiment, decryption software component 405 authenticates the pairingmessage by validating a digital signature in the paring message. The PINin the paring message is then stored in device 106 memory. In analternate embodiment, other information in the pairing message is storedin device 106 memory. In an embodiment of the present invention, aterminal in terminals 107 periodically requests pairing, or requestpairing after a user request, by generating a Bluetooth™ messageincluding a PIN to device 106. Device 106 then compares the stored PINobtained in the pairing message with the PIN obtained from Bluetooth™message from a terminal in short distance wireless network 116. In anembodiment of the present invention, if the two PINs match, a Bluetooth™communication channel is established between device 106 and the terminalgenerating the Bluetooth™ message having a PIN. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, if a terminal in terminals 107 is not available todevice 106 when requested, device 106 waits until the terminal interminals 107 is available to request pairing without requiring a newPIN number to be entered.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, server 101 does notpush a pairing message to 106. Once device 106 receives a pairingrequest from a terminal in terminals 107, device 106 sends a message toserver 101 to confirm the paring. Server 101 searches PIN database 101 bto determine if the requesting terminal having a PIN matches a PIN inPIN database 101 b. If a match is found, server 101 generates a pairingmessage to device 106 approving the paring. A communication channel isthen established between device 106 and the requesting terminal. If thePIN sent by the terminal in terminals 107 does not match the PIN inserver 101 database, server 101 generates a pairing message to device106 that paring is denied and communication between device 106 and therequesting terminal does not occur.

In still another embodiment, server 101 sends a remove or depairingmessage to device 106. In response to the remove message, device 106ceases a communication channel with a terminal identified in the removemessage.

In still a further embodiment of the present invention, a user enters aPIN, corresponding to a PIN assigned to device 106, into a terminal ofterminals 107. The terminal then generates a Bluetooth™ messageincluding the PIN of device 106 to device 106 requesting paring. Device106 then compares the PIN in the Bluetooth message with an internal PINstored in memory. If the PINs match, a communication channel is formedbetween device 106 and the terminal; otherwise, pairing andcommunication to device 106 is denied. In this embodiment, a user simplyenters a PIN and paring is done automatically when the terminal entersthe radio range of device 106. The terminal periodically generates arequest to pair Bluetooth™ message including the PIN. Thus, the userdoes not have to go through a “discover” and select mode in order toform a short distance wireless network.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, a terminal inshort distance wireless network 116 includes an error detection softwarecomponent 406 responsible for verifying whether a user has entered avalid PIN. If the user does not enter a valid PIN, error detectionsoftware component 406 indicates an invalid entered PIN to a user. Forexample, the terminal may display “Incorrect PIN” on a display asillustrated in FIG. 5 c. In an alternate embodiment, error detectionsoftware component 406 includes an error correction software componentfor correcting an erroneously entered PIN as described below.

For example, a user purchases PDA 107 b having Bluetooth™ capabilitiesat a retailer and would like to add PDA 107 b to short distance wirelessnetwork 116. A salesman would access a web page 700 located at server101. In an embodiment of the present invention, the web page 700 isowned and operated by a telecommunication operator providing cellularsignals 111 to cellular telephone 106. The salesman would enter a username, the name of PDA 107 b (device identification number), themanufacturer of PDA 107 b (device manufacturer), the model orcapabilities of PDA 107 b (device model), and a PIN or personalidentification symbol. In a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, only a PIN and device identification number is entered. In anembodiment of the present invention, the telecommunication provider hasgiven the user a PIN for forming a short distance wireless network 116.Server 101 then generates an encrypted pairing message in response tothe salesman's input. The pairing message is transferred over WAN 105 tocellular telephone 106 having Bluetooth™ capabilities in order to allowparing of telephone 106 and a requesting terminal. In an alternateembodiment of the present invention, a user, a manufacturer, atelecommunication provider or a reseller transfers the PDA 107 binformation using a telephone, by way of keypad entries or voice, toserver 101 that generates a pairing message.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, a user, amanufacturer, a telecommunication provider or a reseller uses a SMS forgenerating a pairing message.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a telecommunicationprovider or reseller manually enters a PIN into a terminal during thepurchase of terminal, such as PDA 107 b. Error detection software 406verifies the validity of the entered PIN and notifies the user orreseller of a successful pairing. Even though the new PDA 107 b is notwithin range of a user's short distance wireless network 116, the userand reseller do not have to be concerned with the actual paring. Thepairing will be accomplished using typical Bluetooth™ protocol once PDA107 b is within range of the user's short distance wireless network 116.Once PDA 107 b is within range of short distance wireless network 116,PDA 107 b can provide information, such as device identification, devicemanufacturer and so on, to server 101, by way of device 106, in orderfor server 101 to generate a confirmation or denial paring message todevice 106 based on a query and comparison of information in PINdatabase 101 b.

Thus, a user is able to easily and efficiently add a device to a shortdistance wireless network with little or no intervention by allowing athird party to pair or add the device. Moreover, a telecommunicationprovider has more information and control over devices having access totheir telecommunication networks. Manufactures may also have moreinformation as to how their devices are being used. This will enablemanufacturers to design and produce devices that will more effectivelymeet the preferences of their consumers.

II. Hand-Held Device/Terminal Hardware

FIG. 2 illustrates embodiments of terminals 107 and device 106. In anembodiment of the present invention, there are two types ofterminals: 1) smart terminals and 2) thin terminals. In an alternateembodiment of the present invention, smart terminals execute user logicand applications. Smart terminals have a relatively powerful processingunit, operating system and applications. Their main needs from a shortdistance wireless network 116 are access to a WAN 105 through TCP/IP andother network services such as storage and execution. For example, alaptop computer 107 d and PDA 107 b are smart terminals. Thin terminalshave a relatively low power processing unit and operating system. Theyare mainly used as peripherals to an application server in a shortdistance wireless network 116 and their main task is user interaction,rendering output for a user and providing an application server with auser's input. For example, a watch 107 a or messaging terminals can bethin terminals.

FIG. 2 illustrates thin terminals. Voice terminal 204 includes a display204 b and a retractable keypad 204 a. Messaging Terminal 203 isillustrated in a closed position with a hinge 203 a used to open andclose terminal 203. Terminal 203 also includes a miniature QWERTYkeyboard and display when opened.

In an embodiment of the present invention, device 201 is a cellularmodem and includes a clip 202 for a belt.

FIG. 3 a illustrates a hardware block diagram of device 106 in anembodiment of the present invention. Device 106 includes both internaland removable memory. In particular, device 106 includes internal FLASH(or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (“EEPROM”)) andstatic Random Access Memory (“SRAM”) 302 and 303, respectively.Removable FLASH memory 304 is also used in an embodiment of the presentinvention. Memories 302, 303, and 304 are coupled to bus 305. In anembodiment of the present invention, bus 305 is an address and data bus.Application processor 301 is likewise coupled to bus 305. In anembodiment of the present invention, processor 301 is a 32-bitprocessor.

Bluetooth™ processor 307 is also coupled to bus 305. Bluetooth™ RFcircuit 309 is coupled to Bluetooth™ processor 307 and antenna 313.Processor 307, RF circuit 309 and antenna 313 transceive and receiveshort-range radio signals to and from terminals 107, illustrated in FIG.1, or device 350 illustrated in FIG. 3 b.

Cellular, such as GSM, signals are transmitted and received usingdigital circuit 306, analog circuit 308, transmitter 310, receiver 311and antenna 312. Digital circuit 306 is coupled to bus 305. In alternateembodiments, device 106 includes a display, a speaker, a microphone, akeypad and a touchscreen, singly or in combination.

FIG. 3 b illustrates device 350 that is a hand-held device in anembodiment of the present invention. Device 350, in an embodiment of thepresent invention, is one of the terminals 107 illustrated in FIG. 1.Similar to device 106, device 350 includes SRAM and FLASH memory 351 and352, respectively. Memories 351 and 352 are coupled to bus 357. In anembodiment of the present invention, bus 357 is an address and data bus.Keypad 353 is also coupled to bus 357. Short-range radio signals aretransmitted and received using Bluetooth™ processor 354 and Bluetooth™RF circuit 355. Antenna 356 is coupled to Bluetooth™ RF circuit 355. Inan embodiment of the present invention, antenna 356 transmits andreceives short-range radio signals. In alternate embodiments, device 350includes a display, a speaker, a microphone, a keypad and a touchscreen,singly or in combination. As one of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate, other hardware components would be provided for device 350in alternate embodiments of the present invention. For example in anembodiment in which device 350 is a laptop computer 107 d, a disk driveand other input/output components are present.

III. Software

FIG. 4 illustrates a software architecture 500 for device 106illustrated in FIG. 3 a according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Software 500 is stored in program memory, such as FLASHmemory 302. In an embodiment of the present invention, softwarecomponents referenced in FIG. 4 represent a software program, a softwareobject, a software function, a software subroutine, a software method, asoftware instance, and a code fragment, singly or in combination. In analternate embodiment, functions performed by software componentsillustrated in FIG. 4 are carried out completely or partially byhardware.

In an embodiment of the present invention, software 500, or componentsof software 500, is stored in an article of manufacture, such as acomputer readable medium. For example, software 500 is stored in amagnetic hard disk, an optical disk, a floppy disk, CD-ROM (Compact DiskRead-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), FLASH, ROM (Read-OnlyMemory), or other readable or writeable data storage technologies,singly or in combination. In yet another embodiment, software 500, orcomponents thereof, is downloaded from server 102 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Software 500 includes telecommunication software or physical layerprotocol stacks, in particular cellular communications software 503 andshort-range radio communications software 502. In an embodiment,communication software 503 is a GPRS baseband software component usedwith processor 306 to transmit and receive cellular signals. In anembodiment, communication software 502 is a Bluetooth™ baseband softwarecomponent used with processor 307 to transmit and receive short-rangeradio signals. Other telecommunication software may be used asillustrated by other basebands 501.

In an embodiment of the present invention, operating system (“OS”) 403is used to communicate with telecommunications software 502 and 503. Inan embodiment of the present invention, operating system 403 is a Linuxoperating system, EPOC operating system available from Symbian softwareof London, United Kingdom or a PocketPC or a Stinger operating systemavailable from Microsoft® Corporation of Redmond, Wash. or Nucleusoperating system, available from Accelerated Technology, Inc. of Mobile,Ala. Operating system 403 manages hardware and enables execution spacefor device software components.

Media abstraction layer 504 allows operating system 403 to communicatewith basebands 503, 502 and 501, respectively. Media abstraction layer504 and other abstraction layers, described herein, translate aparticular communication protocol, such as GPRS, into a standard commandset used by a device and/or terminal. The purpose of an abstractionlayer is to isolate the physical stacks from the rest of the devicesoftware components. This enables future usage of different physicalstacks without changing any of the upper layer software and allows thedevice software to work with any communication protocol.

Pairing software component 404, decryption software component 405 anderror detection software component 406 are used to add a terminal/deviceto a short distance wireless network according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention,software components 404, 405 and 406 are combined and/or partitionedinto more software components.

In an embodiment of the present invention, pairing software component404 pairs or adds a terminal or device to short distance wirelessnetwork 116 in response to a pairing message. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, pairing software component 404 and decryptionsoftware component 405 are executed on the hardware components of device106 in order to generate and receive short-range radio signals forestablishing a communication channel with a newly added terminal inshort distance wireless network 116. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, pairing software component 404, decryption software component405, operating system 403 and Bluetooth™ Baseband software component 502are used to generate and receive short-range radio signals 110 forestablishing a communication channel.

Error detection software component 406 is used to determine whether anidentification symbol or PIN is valid and notify a user of such. In anembodiment of the present invention, error detection software component406 is stored in a terminal, such as headset 107 c, of terminals 107which is attempting to pair with device 106. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, all PIN numbers are required to have individualdigits sum to a predetermined number or checksum digit. So if a userincorrectly types a PIN number, error detection software component 406will add the digits and compare the sum to the predetermined checksumdigit, and then notify the user that an invalid PIN has been input. Forexample, a checksum digit may be the last digit of a PIN code, such asthe digit 9. If a user enters an incorrect PIN number, “70219” asillustrated in FIG. 5 a. FIGS. 5 a-b-c illustrates user input/output foradding a terminal/device to short distance wireless network 116 shown inFIG. 1. In an embodiment of the present invention, device 106 is acellular telephone having a display 515 and keypad 516. Error detectionsoftware component 406 would add 7, 0, 2 and 1 for a total of 10. Theadded digits summing 10 would be compared to the predetermined checksumdigit of 9. Because the summed digits, 10, does not equal the checksumdigit of 9, the user would be notified of an “Incorrect PIN” as shown inFIG. 5 c. If a valid PIN was entered, a valid notification may begenerated after pairing, such as “Headset Paired” as illustrated in FIG.5 b.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, error detectionsoftware component 406 includes an error correcting software componentfor correcting an erroneously entered PIN. For example, a reed-solomoncode may be used.

In alternate embodiments of the present invention, other PIN errordetection methods or software components are used to detect inputting anincorrect PIN.

Furthermore, Graphics User Interface (“GUI”) 407 is provided to allow auser-friendly interface.

FIGS. 6 a-b illustrate a method 600 for pairing devices in a shortdistance wireless network 116 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. In an embodiment, method 600 is performed by pairing softwarecomponent 404, decryption software component 405 and error detectionsoftware component 406 illustrated in FIG. 4. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, a logic box or step illustrated in FIGS. 6 a-b mayrepresent an execution of a software component, such as a softwareprogram, a software object, a software function, a software subroutine,a software method, a software instance, a code fragment, singly or incombination. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, alogic box or step represents execution of a software component, hardwareoperation or user operation, singly or in combination. In an alternateembodiment of the present invention, fewer or more logic boxes or stepare carried out in method 600.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 a, a user manually enters a PIN at a terminalto be paired with device 106 in short distance wireless network 116, asillustrated by block 601. A determination is made whether the PIN isvalid as illustrated by block 602 and 603. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, error detection software component 406 is used todetermine whether the PIN is valid. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, error correction software corrects an incorrectly enteredPIN. If the PIN is not valid, control passes to block 604 were a user isnotified of a invalid PIN.

In an embodiment of the present invention, server 101 in response touser input generates a pairing message. In an alternate embodiment ofthe present invention, the pairing message is generated by a SMS. In anembodiment of the present invention, the pairing message is encrypted toprevent fraud and illegal registration.

Device 106 determines whether the pairing message is received asillustrated by logic block 605.

If a pairing message is received, the pairing message is decrypted bydecryption software component 405 as illustrated by logic block 606 inFIG. 6 b.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a PIN in the pairing messageis compared with the PIN received from a Bluetooth™ message from theterminal in terminals 107 attempting to pair with device 106 asillustrated by logic block 608. If the PIN received from the pairingmessage is the same as the PIN received from the terminal, acommunication channel is established as illustrated by logic block 609.Otherwise, a communication channel is not established.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a pairing messageincludes a remove message for canceling a communication channel betweentwo devices.

Likewise in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, device 106forwards the PIN received from the terminal to server 101. Aconfirmation pairing message is generated by pairing message generationsoftware component 101 a if the PIN matches a respective PIN in PINdatabase 101 b. Thus, a communication channel between device 106 and aterminal is established upon a successful match.

IV. Conclusion

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention has been provided for the purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modificationsand variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, therebyenabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited tothe particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

1. A system for forming a short distance wireless network, the systemcomprising: a logic unit in a first device to generate a plurality ofshort-range radio signals, such that a first short-range radio signal inthe plurality of short-range radio signals comprises a request toestablish communication in the short distance wireless network and afirst identification symbol; wherein a second device receives the firstshort-range radio signal, when the second device enters a short-rangeradio range of the first device; wherein the second device receives aplurality of cellular signals from a wide area network, a first cellularsignal in the plurality of cellular signals including a secondidentification symbol; wherein the second device establishes wirelesscommunication with the first device, when the first identificationsymbol included in the first short range radio signal matches the secondidentification symbol included in the first cellular signal; and a logicunit in the first device to indicate when a third identification symbolentered into the first device by a user is erroneous and to correct thethird identification symbol to the first identification symbol.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first device generates the plurality ofshort-range radio signals periodically after a user enters the firstidentification symbol into the first device.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the first device comprises a logic unit to indicate when thefirst identification symbol is valid.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinthe first device includes a logic unit to indicate on a display of thefirst device that wireless communication between the first device andsecond device is established.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein thefirst device includes a logic unit to correct the third identificationsymbol to the first identification symbol.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the second device comprises a logic unit to receive a firstcellular signal, in the plurality of cellular signals, including thesecond identification symbol from the wide area network, wherein thewide area network is included in the Internet.
 7. The system of claim 6,wherein the second identification symbol is encrypted and the seconddevice decrypts the encrypted second identification symbol.
 8. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the first cellular signal includes a digitalsignature and the second device authenticates the second identificationsymbol by validating the digital signature.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the second device comprises a logic unit to receive a message inthe form of a first cellular signal, in the plurality of cellularsignals, that indicates wireless communication between the first deviceand the second device are prevented.
 10. A method for adding a firstdevice to a short distance wireless network having a second device, themethod comprising: receiving a first identification symbol by a firstdevice; wherein the second device obtains a second identificationsymbol, by way of a cellular signal; wherein the second identificationsymbol is stored in the second device; transmitting a short-range radiosignal including the first identification symbol from the first deviceto the second device; wherein second device compares the firstidentification symbol with the second identification symbol; wherein thesecond devices forms a short-range radio communication channel with thefirst device when the first identification symbol matches the secondidentification symbol; indicating when a third identification symbolentered by the user is invalid; correcting the third identificationsymbol to the first identification symbol; and wherein the firstidentification symbol is entered into the first device by a user. 11.The method of claim 10, further comprising: notifying a user of formingthe short-range communication channel between the first device and thesecond device.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the short-range radiosignal is transmitted periodically after a user enters the firstidentification symbol into the first device; and wherein the short-rangeradio communication channel between the first device and the seconddevice is formed when the second device enters the short-range radiosignal range of the first device.
 13. The method of claim 10, whereinthe second device decrypts the second identification symbol that hasbeen encrypted.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the second devicereceives a cancellation message in the form of at least the cellularsignal, the message indicates canceling the short-range radiocommunication channel between the first device and the second device;and wherein the short-range radio communication channel between thefirst device and the second device is cancelled in response to receivingthe cancellation message.
 15. A computer readable medium comprisinglogic code, wherein execution of the logic code by a processor causes asystem to: receive a short-range radio signal in a short distancewireless network; receive a cellular signal in a wide area network; andadd a device to the short distance wireless network when a firstidentification symbol received in the form of the short-range radiosignal matches a second identification symbol received in the form ofthe cellular signal; determine whether a third identification symbolentered into the first device by a user is erroneous; and correct thethird identification symbol to the first identification symbol inresponse to determining that the third identification symbol iserroneous.
 16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, furthercomprising logic code, wherein execution of the logic code by aprocessor further causes the system to notify a user on a display thatthe device is added to the short distance wireless network.
 17. Thecomputer readable medium of claim 15, further comprising logic code,wherein execution of the logic code by a processor further causes thesystem to decrypt the first identification symbol.